Highton objections to a mental health facility have prompted council to seek a planning scheme review.
Councillors agreed this week to request a review of the “community care accommodation clause” after Haven Foundation angered residents with plans to build 16 units for the mentally ill.
Projects such as the Haven Foundation complex could proceed without planning permits if they met clause requirements, City Hall said
Highton councillor Ron Nelson led this week’s vote for a review, describing it as a statewide issue.
“This isn’t just a Highton issue. This has the potential to impact the make-up of suburbs across Victoria,” he said.
The region had “demand” for mental health facilities but residents deserved their say on proposals such as the Haven Foundation project, he said.
“Council prides itself on its high level of community consultation and it’s concerning the public hasn’t been given the opportunity to have its say, as this commercial facility from the Haven Foundation is being built in a residential area.
“There is a growing need for appropriate mental health facilities in the region. However, the greater Geelong planning scheme’s community care accommodation’ clause leaves both council and the community powerless to have any input towards the solution and on issues around location, design, scale and neighbourhood character.”
City Hall said Mayor Bruce Harwood would write to the Planning Minister requesting the review “to allow for a more transparent process by providing for community input into such development proposals”.
“The letter will also highlight that the current provisions fail to provide for community consultation in relation to issues around design, height, scale, bulk and neighbourhood character.”
